Robin Cook "Acceptable Risk"

Author: Robin Cook Original title: Acceptable Risk Publication year: 2000 Medical topics: psychotropic drugs, alkaloids, pharmaceutical research Description: Kimberly Stewart is a nurse. She is also the great-granddaughter of Elisabeth Stewart, who was accused of "witchcraft" and sentenced to death in 1692 in Salem. Kim, together with her friend Edward, a famous biochemist, discovers a hallucinogenic substance in the Stewart family home. Undoubtedly, the women accused of consorting with the devil in the 17th century were also under its influence. Edward manages to map the compound’s structure and, through several chemical reactions, remove an LSD-like fragment from the molecule. He tests the substance on himself. It turns out that the compound, named Ultra, is absorbed after oral administration; the blood-brain barrier poses no obstacle to it; it affects the psyche, and this effect is so strong that it manifests even at doses in the order of micrograms. Additionally, studies conducted on animals and in nerve cell cultures show no toxicity of the compound. Edward believes he has created a new generation of drugs like Prozac or Xanax. It seems that Ultra is perfect. Non-toxic, effective, oral, with fewer side effects, and likely a broader spectrum of action. In fact, thanks to its unique structure with side chains that can be easily modified or replaced, it has nearly unlimited therapeutic potential in the field of psychopharmacology. It is an antidepressant and anxiolytic; it relieves anxiety. In addition, it appears to have an energizing effect, eliminates fatigue, induces a sense of well-being, sharpens the senses, clears the mind, and improves long-term memory. Edward rents part of the Stewart estate from Kim and builds a modern laboratory there, where he begins research on bringing the drug to market.